Activating Architecture in Urban Spaces

The area between the built structures is a large activity surface that invites spontaneous movement at all levels while offering a view
of the open sky across green playing fields.
Valby Idrætspark (proposal), 2005, Copenhagen. SLA, Copenhagen.
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Active Outdoor Areas
Buildings greatly influence their surroundings, and careful
consideration should be given to the manner in which a
building meets its surroundings and affects the local area.
Development of the built environment may equally concern
its effect on the non-built environment. Thus in the meeting
of building and context, an outward orientation is necessary
along with a local perspective.
The areas that surround housing developments are
often overlooked. These areas should be integrated in
the planning, development and actual design of an area.
The current function of open areas as gaps between built
elements can be transformed into a more positive one by
letting them become an active part of the area.
Valby Sports Park, Valby
3-5 min
dimensions series of play
activities
3-5 min
cohesive
landscape
affiliation
Valby Idrætspark, developed by SLA architects, is a
proposal for a sports park that integrates sports and
housing and develops new urban environments. The
proposal provides a plan for the creation of a vibrant and
physically active urban area. Activities and housing are
oriented in relation to the sun and in terms of visibility.
Location and dimensions have been determined in
order to allow room for a diversity of outdoor activities
between the buildings, for example jogging, ball games,
playgrounds, boule, cycling and spontaneous activities.
The outdoor spaces around the buildings have been
planned as one cohesive sports space offering a wide
range of sports activities along with beautiful views of
the park. The asphalt surface comprises various forms of
paving including thermoplastic, rubber and concrete, all
catering to different types of activity. An activity surface,
that is visible from the housing units, encircles existing
playing fields and invites spontaneous movement.